Melaena
Last updated: Monday, 20, December, 2010
| Causes | Appropriate Tests |
|---|---|
The magnitude of acute blood loss and the likely cause should be determined on clinical grounds. The initial Hb may be normal after acute severe haemorrhage. FBC (PCV), blood group, blood group antibody screen, compatibility testing. See also Blood transfusion - recipient testing. Endoscopy with biopsy, as appropriate. See also Rectal bleeding for fresh or accult blood loss. | |
Gastric ulcer, especially
| |
Duodenal ulcer | |
Oesophagitis/oesophageal ulcer | |
Oesophageal carcinoma | See under Peptic ulcer. |
Vascular malformations | |
Bleeding disorder | Gastrointestinal bleeding is rare, in the absence of a local lesion, or drug effect. |